Game times and rotation plans announced for ALDS

The Indians will kick off the American League half of the postseason with an afternoon visit to Houston on Friday

The Cleveland Indians will open up their AL Division Series on the road against the Houston Astros on Friday. Game times for this weekend were announced this morning:

Game 1 on Friday, Oct. 5: 2:05 ET

Game 2 on Saturday, Oct. 6: 4:37 ET

MLB is no doubt banking on a Red Sox-Yankees ALDS matchup for the primetime spots on Friday and Saturday. It would be a real shame if the A’s were to spoil that tomorrow night

The Indians have also announced their rotation plans for the ALDS.

Game 1: Corey Kluber

Game 2: Carlos Carrasco

Game 3: Mike Clevinger

Game 4 (if necessary): Trevor Bauer or Shane Bieber, depending on if or how either of them has been used in the first three games of the series

I’ll admit, I’m not crazy about the idea of Bauer — who was in the midst of a Cy Young-caliber season before that liner struck his ankle in August — being reduced to a relief role, if he even takes the mound at all in the first three games of the season. Terry Francona and the Tribe FO must either feel very confident in Clevinger or not very confident in Bauer. Maybe Tito thinks Bauer is more of a weapon out of the bullpen. I don’t know.

Conversely, the Astros have also announced their own rotation plans.

Game 1: Justin Verlander

Game 2: Gerrit Cole

Game 3: Dallas Keuchel

Their plans are up in the air for a potential Game 4, but I would expect to see a combination of Charlie Morton and Lance McCullers, if the latter has not already been used in relief.